The seven-million-strong American Muslim
community was alarmed at the Islamophobic anti-Muslim response to Paris, France
terrorist attacks which claimed 129 innocent lives and left around 300 people
injured. American Muslims were deeply troubled that many American politicians have
used the tragic terror attacks in Paris
as a justification to promote xenophobia against Syrian refugees.

The
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a leading civil advocacy
group, condemned the lack of moral fortitude of the U.S. governors who announced their oppostion to accepting Syrian refugees in the wake of the
tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, France.

The
ADC urged elected officials to remember that the vast majority of Americans are
the descendants of immigrants and refugees. The United States must not give in
to fear or hate motivated bias by turning our back on our nation's fundamental
commitment to refugee protection and human rights.

The
ADC statement said: "We should not give in to propaganda and fear
mongering that has exploited the tragedy of the terrorist attacks in France to
perpetuate anti-Arab sentiment, Islamophobia, and xenophobia. Now is precisely
the time to stand up for our democracy's core values."

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Muslim
Advocates and Interfaith Alliance also expressed their concern at by the
anti-Muslim response by public officials to the Paris attacks. The group said
"It is disturbing that public officials--including U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
(R-FL) and U.S. Representative Peter King (R-NY)--would exploit the Paris
tragedy to advance their own political agendas. At a time when we join the
world to support the people of Paris, we are concerned that public officials
like Rubio and King seek to divide instead of unite us."

In a
Sunday interview with George Stephanopolous on ABC This Week, Senator Rubio
compared Muslims to Nazis. Speaking on New York radio with John Catsimatidis
also on Sunday, Representative King called for increased surveillance of
American Muslim communities.

"All
Americans want to be kept safe from acts of violence, whatever the source. But promoting
the idea of a "clash of civilizations" and suggesting extremist violence is
rooted within Islam only serves to further the agenda of violent extremists. It
also sends a dangerous signal that our American Muslim neighbors are a threat,
worsening the environment of anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes," the
Interfaith Alliance and Muslim Advocates said.

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They
called on the public officials to refrain from religious bigotry and focus
instead on unity in the aftermath of the Paris tragedy. "There are real
consequences to creating an anti-Muslim climate. In Florida over the weekend, a
Tampa Bay area mosque received a threatening voicemail that warned of a militia
coming to fire bomb the mosque and shoot worshippers. Local and federal law
enforcement are investigating the threat."

The
Islamic Circle of North America, a leading Muslim civil advocacy group, also
expressed its concern over the rise of
Islamophobic rhetoric coming from state governors across the country. "Our
nation was founded by refugees fleeing repressive regimes, and therefore we
must stand with all people of conscience in rejecting this bigotry and
welcoming Syrian refugees who are fleeing terrorists," the ICNA statement
said.

The ICNA called on all elected officials to do some soul searching and not
allow themselves to be influenced by the whispers of fear mongers and
Islamophobes. "It is not only against American values but also illegal
under the U.S. constitution for governors to turn away refugees already
accepted by the federal government."

Interfaith groups appalled by discriminatory
rhetoric

"We
are appalled by the punitive and discriminatory rhetoric and actions by many
political leaders to restrict and deny the admission of Syrian refugees because
they are Syrian, or because they are Muslim." United Church of Christ and the
Christian Church said adding: "Such attitudes are contrary to our understanding
of our nation's values; and to our reading of our sacred scriptures."

The
United Church of Christ and the Christian Church statement stressed: "An unfortunate consequence of these attacks is
the strident rhetoric of many politicians--including United States mayors,
governors, and members of Congress--that effectively calls for the closing of
the door and borders to innocent victims of the war in Syria. The Syrian war is
the worst humanitarian crisis of our generation, and it has no resolution in
sight. More than half the Syrian population has been forcibly displaced from
their homes, and more than four million Syrians are now refugees in neighboring
Middle Eastern countries and Europe. Over half of Syrian refugees are children.
The people of Syria did not choose such horrific suffering. The "Islamic State"
and the Asad regime are now the main visible protagonists, but they are surely
not the only parties."

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"There's
nothing Christlike about turning away people who are fleeing for their lives",
said Faithful America, the largest online community of Christians.

"These
elected officials want to turn away Syrian refugees simply because most of them
are Muslim. But we cannot let this bigotry stand. Not as Jews. Not as Americans.
Not as citizens of the world," Jewish Voices for Peace said adding, "we have to stand up to those who are using
this moment to further entrench the racism, Islamophobia, and endless war at
the root of the violence we grieve."

Author and journalist.
Author of
Islamic Pakistan: Illusions & Reality;
Islam in the Post-Cold War Era;
Islam & Modernism;
Islam & Muslims in the Post-9/11 America.
Currently working as free lance journalist.
Executive Editor of American (more...)